NHS Communications Trainee Scheme: Interview with Lucy, Tina and Ava – our 2026 trainees
Hear from Lucy, Tina and Ava — who share their experience searching for a job after finishing university and their insights on the NHS Communications Trainee Scheme at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. Read more below!
(Left to right: Tina, Ava and Lucy)
What was your journey like to get this role?
Tina:
My journey to this role wasn't straightforward. After graduating from the University of Leeds, I spent around 18 months searching for my first professional role.
During that time, I volunteered in Kenya, creating digital content for small local charities, which is where I developed a real passion for communications and public health.
I knew I wanted to work in the social impact sector, but breaking into the field without a professional network or formal experience was challenging.
When I found this traineeship on LinkedIn, it immediately stood out because it focused on potential, creativity, and collaboration. It gave me the opportunity to turn that passion into the start of a career.
Ava:
After graduating from university, I felt quite lost. I knew I wanted to use my creativity in a meaningful way, but I had no idea what opportunities were available to me or how to take that first step .
At the time, the news was filled with stories about how difficult it was for graduates to find entry-level roles, with many emphasising the importance of industry connections and previous experience. As the first person in my family to attend university, entering the professional job market felt daunting. I didn’t have any industry connections or know anyone who could help me understand how to break into the profession, so a career in communications wasn’t something I had ever imagined was open to me.
I’d worked in retail since I was 17, and while those roles taught me a huge amount, I started to worry that I would never be able to move beyond what I already knew . I began volunteer ing for an international charity, wh ere I worked with the marketing and communications team to create content for the ir social media channels. This experience made me realise how passionate I was about using my skills to drive positive change.
When I saw the Communications Trainee Scheme advertised on LinkedIn, I remember being genuinely surprised that a role like this existed. I poured everything I had into the application and talked about it constantly with friends and family. Finding out that I had been offered the role is still a special moment for me.
Lucy:
My biomedical science degree and specialism in genetics gave me a strong interest in human health, particularly research into genetic and rare diseases. During my dissertation, I investigated differences in the DNA of people with schizophrenia compared with those without the condition. The project made me realise that important research only achieves its full value when it can be understood beyond the scientific community. It sparked my passion for breaking down complex medical and scientific information into accessible and engaging formats.
After graduating, I volunteered with a rare disease charity, creating visuals for webinars that explained complex genetic concepts and conditions. Working directly with patients allowed me to see first hand how clear and accessible information could help people better understand their condition. I also saw how explaining what would happen during an appointment could reduce anxiety and help patients feel more informed and prepared.
These experiences strengthened my passion to healthcare communications and demonstrated how adapted information can increase a person’s confidence and experience of care.
While developing skills across different fields, I remained focused on pursuing opportunities in healthcare communications. As a young person at the beginning of my career, finding a role that aligned with my experience and interests was important to me. The Communications Trainee Programme offered an opportunity to develop my skills and put my passion for making medical information accessible into practice.
Why was this scheme helpful for you?
Lucy:
The scheme has given me the opportunity to strengthen my communication skills and understand how they can be applied within healthcare.
Throughout the programme, I have gained experience across a wide range of areas, including internal and external communications, public relations, writing for different audiences, evaluation, content creation and editing, social media, campaign delivery and event support.
Working across different areas of communications has helped me identify which aspects I enjoy most, while also highlighting the skills I would like to develop further as I progress in my career.
Tina:
For me, the biggest benefit of the scheme has been the opportunity to learn by doing. Rather than just observing , I've been trusted to contribute to real projects, develop content, and bring forward my own ideas.
Having the chance to work alongside communications professionals across South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience has helped me understand what effective communications looks like in practice.
It's also given me confidence in my own abilities. I've learned how to take complex topics and turn them into content that is engaging and accessible, and I've seen first-hand how good communications can help connect researchers, clinicians, patients, and the wider community.
Ava:
When I graduated, the job market felt really difficult to navigate and I had no idea how I would get my foot in the door.
What made the trainee scheme so different was that it looked beyond my CV. For the first time, I felt that I was being assessed on who I was and what I could bring to the role, rather than the opportunities I had or hadn’t had access to before.
I have always been passionate about raising awareness of mental health and challenging misconceptions surrounding it, but having graduated with an English Literature degree, I never imagined that I would be able to contribute to that work professionally.
The scheme showed me that enthusiasm can be just as valuable as experience. I will always be grateful that I had the opportunity to join the communications team as a trainee.
What is your advice to future trainees?
Ava:
My advice to future trainees is to volunteer for any opportunity that comes your way. Say “yes” even if you’re unsure, because it’s often the projects and experiences that challenge you the most that help you grow and develop as a communications professional.
Remember that you deserve to be in the room! Being the youngest or most junior person in the team doesn’t make your opinions any less important. Your perspective is unique and your ideas can add real value to a project or campaign.
Don’t shy away from using your lived experience as a strength in your work. The trainee scheme gives you so many opportunities to get involved in meaningful projects that you feel passionate about, so dive in and don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself.
Most importantly, remember that you don’t need to have all the answers on day one. Be curious, ask questions, and embrace every opportunity to learn. You may be a trainee, but your ideas, contributions and experiences are just as valuable as anyone else’s.
Lucy:
My advice would be to stay open and positive about new experiences and opportunities to develop your skills. Don’t be afraid to try something new, ask questions and learn from the colleagues. Get involved in as many events, campaigns and projects as possible, as each experience will teach you something different.
Take time to recognise your strengths and discover the work you enjoy most, while building skills in other areas. Be yourself and find a way of working that suits you. Everyone works differently and brings their own strengths, so embrace what makes you unique and use it to help you succeed.
Use the opportunity to learn as much as you can. Reflect on what you enjoy, where you would like to improve and which skills you want to develop further. Every mind works differently and brings a different perspective , so don’t be afraid to share your ideas. Your thoughts and contributions matter.
Tina:
My advice to future trainees would be to ask questions and stay curious. You're surrounded by a team who genuinely want to support your development, and I've found that no question is too small.
When I joined, I had very little experience in science and health research, and some of the projects felt quite intimidating at first. But people were always willing to take the time to explain complex topics, which helped me develop the confidence to turn them into accessible and engaging content.
I'd also encourage trainees to embrace what makes them different. Your background, experiences, and perspective bring something unique to the team. Some of my most valuable contributions have come from looking at things from a different angle, so don't be afraid to share your ideas and challenge yourself.
Applications to join our Communications Team as a trainee are currently open.
You can view the vacancy and apply here.